The Four Overlapping Forms of Invasive Candidiasis The Four Forms of Invasive Candidiasis (from [1914]) Defining the various forms of invasive candidiasis is a challenge. We follow the concepts first proposed by Bodey, Anaissie, & Edwards in their 1993 analysis [271]. As discussed in our overview of invasive candidiasis, essentially all forms of invasive candidiasis begin as an episode of candidemia. However, the degree to which this is clinically obvious varies (figure). From a clinical standpoint, these four forms of invasive candidiasis are sufficiently different that separating them is useful: Catheter-Related Candidemia Candidemia due to infection of a vascular catheter […]

Overview As discussed in the section on candidemia, an intravascular catheter is probably the most important and frequent removable source of Candida spp. in the bloodstream of both adults and children [518, 1308, 1904, 1967, 2411]. Once the organism reaches the catheter (direct contamination and transient fungemia from a gastrointestinal source are two possibilities), it adheres to and propagates on the surface of the catheter or the surrounding fibrin clot. In so doing, a large nidus of infection is produced. However, the label “catheter-related” is sometimes taken to imply that the candidemia is trivial. This is not, however, uniformly the […]

Fungi cause a wide variety of diseases in humans, and the areas we discuss are listed below. You may also want to refer to the Infectious Disease Society of America-Mycoses Study Group (IDSA-MSG) Practice Guidelines for treating invasive mycoses. These cover aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidiodomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, and sporotrichosis and are available at the (E):IDSA website. Finally, please be sure to refer to our legal disclaimer. (Site development note: our discussions are currently relatively superficial for all the infections except candidiasis.) Aspergillosis Blastomycosis Candidiasis Coccidioidomycosis Cryptococcosis Histoplasmosis Paracoccidiomycosis Sporotrichosis Zygomycosis Miscellanous Syndromes These diseases are a little harder to classify […]

Synonyms African histoplasmosis. Contrast with North American histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum Definition and forms of the disease Histoplasmosis due to N/A(L):Histoplasma duboisii is a mycotic infection primarily involving cutaneous, liver, lung, lymphatic, subcutaneous, and bony tissues. Skin and bone are the most frequently invaded sites [454]. The etiologic agent grows as a large yeast within giant cells. It may also present with small cells that are typical of those seen in histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum. Nodular and ulcerative cutaneous and osteolytic lesions of bone that disseminate or remain localized are the primary clinical characteristics of histoplasmosis duboisii [11, […]

Synonyms North American histoplasmosis. Contrast with African histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma duboisii Definition Histoplasmosis refers to the condition caused by the infection with the dimorphic endemic fungi N/A(L):Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. This anamorphic fungus has a known sexual teleomorph that carries the name Ajellomyces capsulatus. The majority of acute cases of infection with this fungus follow a subclinical and benign course in normal hosts [2412]. However, a disseminated and potentially fatal picture is seen among immunosuppressed individuals, children less than 2 years old, elderly persons, and people exposed to very large inoculum [872]. Since the advent of the HIV epidemic, […]

There are two groups of diseases that bear the title histoplasmosis. The far more common use of this term is to refer to the forms of histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. This organism was formerly known simply as Histoplasma capsulatum, and its diseases have also been referred to as North American Histoplasmosis. This organism most often causes pulmonary disease, although disseminated forms are also well known. The other form is that of histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii. This organism was formerly known simply as Histoplasma duboisii, and its diseases have also been referred to as African […]

Overview Within the four overlapping forms of invasive candidiasis, there is a distinct clinical picture that has been given a variety of names: Chronic Disseminated Candidiasis (CDC), Hepatosplenic Candidiasis, Hepatic Candidiasis and Granulomatous Hepatitis. As proposed by Bodey, we will generally use the term hepatosplenic candidiasis [271]. However, the other terms are equally valid. At least in theory, a separation should be made between this entity and liver involvement in cases of acute disseminated candidiasis [273]. Cases of acute disseminated disease can certainly become chronic [2233]. Epidemiology The precise incidence of Hepatosplenic Candidiasis is unknown. Difficulties in diagnosing this entity […]